You may know that NYC Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza is prioritizing social and emotional learning (SEL) and culturally relevant teaching that honors diverse students’ experiences. It is a bold step toward building a more equitable school system.

With the help of our supporters, Youth Communication empowers educators to support these initiatives, and makes NYC public schools more just and equitable spaces for teens. 

Using the latest YCteen (and its accompanying Lesson Guide), teachers will engage thousands of young people in discussions about respecting diverse perspectives.

Story topics in this issue include: a supportive school for new immigrants, an Asian-American teen who speaks up against racial taunts, a Latinx teen who fears her parents’ deportation, and a black girl discovering her history. Students and teachers will also read about a Muslim girl embracing her religion, and a Haitian teen helping her parents navigate life in the United States.

We also have a new program this year, All In, which focuses on advocating for oneself and others in a diverse world. It helps educators lead solution-oriented conversations about difficult topics and build a positive school climate. 

All In is based on 30 true stories by NYC public school students. The writers show how they used social and emotional skills to grapple with issues of inequality related to race, gender, sexuality, (dis)ability, religion, and immigrant status, among others.

Like all our curricula, All In will help educators create settings where all students feel welcome and valued—while strengthening the SEL and literacy skills that support school success.

We are grateful to all our supporters who make it possible for us to leverage our teen-written stories, and to continually increase our support of NYC youth.